Video, images: X-Flight rollercoaster to open at Six Flags Great America in 2012

Six Flags Great America has released a video showing off the circuit of the new X-Flight rollercoaster, which will make its debut at the park in 2012.

X-Flight will be the first Bolliger & Mabillard Wing Rider rollercoaster to open in the US, and will see riders suspended on either side of the track in a "winged" formation. The coaster's 3000-feet circuit will feature 5 inversions and a number of twists and drops, with the ride set to hit a top speed of 55 miles per hour. It will be located in the Country Fair area of Six Flags Great America, and is due to open in spring 2012.

Among X-Flight's inversions will be a barrel roll and a zero-g roll, while a unique element will see the ride's trains pass through a narrow vertical gap in a mock control tower. This can be seen in the video below:

Describing the ride, Six Flags Great America's Park President Hank Salemi said: "Six Flags Great America has a long history of introducing legendary rides and first-of-its-kind rollercoasters. What makes X-Flight so unique is soaring through 3,000 feet of high-speed drops, loops and turns, with nothing above or below you. The coaster’s train actually looks like a plane with seats suspended on either side of the track. It's like nothing you have ever experienced before. We are thrilled to bring this revolutionary wing coaster to our guests for the 2012 season.”

A range of images showing off how X-Flight will appear at Six Flags Great America are shown below:

This week, Six Flags announced that it will add new attractions to every theme park in the chain in 2012, confirming a number of strong rumors in the process. You can read more about the planned additions in Theme Park Tourist's article on Six Flags' new attractions for 2012.

You can keep up to date with the latest confirmed and rumored opening dates for new attractions through Theme Park Tourist's "New Attraction Watch" section, and by signing up for our weekly newsletter.